Buckle.



J. W. JOHNSON.

BUCKLE.

APPLIOA'IION FILED APR. 30, 1909.

Patented July 19,1910.

avwanfoz Witnesses rnr. NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. JOHNSON, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

BUCKLE.

and useful improvements in buckles, and the invention has for its ob ect an lmproved device of this character whlch 1s susceptlble of application generally, which is quite reliable in action and exerts a positive grip on the strap, and which may be easily .and

' quickly operated.

Vith this and other objects in View that will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions and arrangements of the parts that I shall hereinafter then point out the novel appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the application of my improved buckle; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof; and, Fig. 4L is a longitudinal sectional view. 7

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

My improved buckle consists essentially of a buckle frame 1, which, in the present instance, is rectangular, although not necessarily so, and which comprises parallel end bars 2 and side bars 3. The side bars are preferably disposed angularly and substantially perpendicularly on the outer side of the plane of the end bars 2.

4 designates the buckle tongue that is in the form of a metal plate and is of such width as to fit between the side bars 3. The side edges of the tongue are turned outwardly to constitute flanges 5 which serve to strengthen the tongue and which in the normal position thereof are arranged at the opposing walls of the side bars 3; a transverse pintle rod 6 is passed through the features of in the flanges and side bars at one end and establishes a pivotal connection between the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 30, 1909.

fully describe and.

Patented July 19, 1910. Serial No. 493,197.

tongue and the buckle frame. At the opposite or swinging end of the tongue the flanges are extended longitudinally to constitute stops 7 that are arranged to abut against the corresponding end bar 2 to prevent the tongue from being swung through the buckle frame, the stops beingolfset away from the face of the tongue adjacent to the buckle frame, whereby to maintain the swinging end of the tongue in opposed rela tion to the inner edge of the adjacent end bar. Intermediate of the stops the swinging end of the tongue is serrated, as indicated at 8, so as to cooperate with the adjacent end bar 2, in the operative position of'the buckle tongue, to effectually grip a strap or the like placed therebetween.

The buckle is permanently connected to one end portion of a strap 9 of leather, tape, or other suitable flexible material, the strap extending behind the buckle and passing outwardly through a transverse slot 11 formed in the buckle tongue intermediate of the ends thereof, the strap being re turned longitudinally toward the pivoted end of the tongue. A fastening device 10 is inserted through an aperture formed in the tongue intermediate of the pivoted end thereof and the slot 11, the fastening device being passed through the portions of the strap lying against the opposite faces of the tongue and thus permanently attaching the buckle to the strap. The returned end of the strap extends longitudinally beyond the fastening device and is unattached, .so as to form an outstanding tab 12.

In the practical use of the buckle, the strap 9 is passed inwardly through the buckle frame 1 to form a loop which encircles the package or other article to be secured, the strap passing outwardly between the serrations 8 and the adjacent end bar of the buckle frame, as will be observed by reference to Fig. 2. By Virtue of this construction it is to be observed that when tension is applied to the free end of the strap the same will slip freely between the tongue and end bar, since such movement tends to swing the tongue outwardly away from the buckle frame and therefore the size of the loop may be readily decreased to cause the strap to bind the package more effectually. How ever, the strap is prevented from passing through the frame in the opposite direction inasmuch as it engages with the serrations- 8 and is clamped between the latter and the proximate end bar 2, and hence the possibility of the loop becoming accidentally enlarged, so as to lose its grip upon the package, is positively precluded. 7 When occasion demands that the strap be removed from the package it is merely necessary to pull upon the outstanding tab 12, whereupon the buckle tongue is swung outwardly away from the buckle frame to assume an inoperative position and release the strap.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be apparent that I have provided an improved buckle which is capable of being conveniently manipulated and may be utilized for various purposes; which embodies to a marked degree the characteristics of simplicity, durability and efficiency in construction and operation; and which consists of comparatively few parts which may be easily and cheaply manufactured and readily assembled.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

The combination of a buckle comprising a buckle frame consisting of side and end bars, a substantially fiat tongue member eX- tending between the side bars and connected at one end thereto to turn about a transverse axis, and stops extended longitudinally beyond the swinging end of the tongue member and adapted to abut against the corresponding end bar to prevent the tongue member from swinging through the buckle frame and to maintain the swinging end of the tongue member in opposed relation to the inner edge of said end bar to grip a strap inserted therebetween, the tongue member being formed intermediate of its ends with a transverse slot and being also formed with an aperture intermediate of its pivoted end and the slot, a strap extending behind the buckle and passing outwardly through the slot and having its end returned longitudinally toward the pivoted end of the tongue member, and a fastening device passing through the aperture and engaging the strap at the opposite faces of the tongue member, the returned end of the strap extending beyond the fastening device and F constituting a tab, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. JOHNSON. [1,. s] Vitnesses J NO. B. WORNALL, C. H. ALEXANDER. 

